Vigor High School flexed its muscles this week at Alabama's first summer camp both by bringing in a number of the camp's top individual performers and by winning the competitive "Bama Ball" tournament at the camp. In addition to 2011 Tide commit Marvin Shinn, Vigor also brought some of its top 2012 prospects, including defensive end Darius Philon. A 6-foot, 255-pound pass rusher, Philon said that his experience in Tuscaloosa was not only fun but a great learning experience for him as a young, developing playmaker.

"This whole camp is about one thing - helping us get better. The Alabama coaches weren't really focused so much on recruiting us or anything, they were there to help us become better football players and help us get ready for our next season with our high school team. They taught us things that we can take with us and use forever to help make us better athletes and better football players."

"I worked with the defensive ends and Coach (Bo) Davis. Coach Davis was a lot of fun to work with and he stayed on us about all the little things we were doing wrong. He told us that they may not seem like a big deal but when you add up all the little mistakes it can make a big difference. Correcting those little things will help make me a better pass rusher and it was a really good lesson to learn."

Team Vigor's win in the "Bama Ball" tournament showcased both the sense of camaraderie among the Vigor players and the tremendous athleticism of the team's younger prospects.

"Basically Bama Ball is a game that uses the same skills you use in football but with really different rules. It's a lot of fun. It's really cool that these coaches can be that creative to come up with something that helps you get better at football but keeps you from getting bored by doing the same stuff all the time."

While the recruiting process is only just beginning for Philon, the young defender believes that his participation in events like the Alabama camp and an improved performance this fall will lead to more recruiting attention next spring.

"I'm receiving letters and things like that but I'm not to the point where I'm talking to schools yet or anything like that. I don't really have anything planned at this point but I will probably go back to Alabama again in July for their next camp. I had such a good time and I would love to work with these coaches again."